Amitabh Bachchan speaks up on ‘growing intolerance’, says Indian films taught

The veteran actor spoke about how religious and communal divide was a serious issue facing the country and that communication was the need of the hour. Vidya Balan will join Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan at the opening ceremony of the 21st KIFF which will take place at the Netaji Indoor Stadium. This year, the 21st Kolkata worldwide Film Festival will be held this month, the powerhouse actress Vidya Balan has been invited as special guest. The ceremony began in style with a session of fusion music titled Home and The World, which was directed by percussionist Bikram Ghosh. The officials said that this festival credit goes to West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee. Big B was accompanied by his wife, Jaya, who looked lovely in a white sari. At the event, Sharmila Tagore, Jaya ji and Vidya raised a toast to the festival’s competitive segment on films helmed by women directors.

Bachchan on Saturday recalled the contribution of Indian cinema in fostering social unity, communal amity and love at a time when “cultures are being questioned and prejudices against communities are dividing the world”.

Hailing the cultural diversity and pluralism of the country, the actor said, “These age-old values are once again being highlighted in Indian cinema”.

Reciting lines from Tagore’s Jana Gana Mana, Bachchan said the stanzas exemplify “Bharat Mata’s unconditional love for all her children”.

Big B also spoke about legendary filmmakers like Guru Dutt, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Shakti Samanta who all had connections with Bengal and said that Bengal’s strength lied in its “intellectual integrity and huge open-mindedness” as well as its “deep belief in equality and social justice”.

The fest concludes on November 21.